*Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps arrest four suspects for illegal gold mining in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, and destroy a large wooden boat used for siphoning crude oil in Rivers State as part of operations aimed at curbing economic sabotage in the country

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

For failure to perform their operations in accordance with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NNMA), the Mining Marshals Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested four suspects for illegal gold mining in the Ogunlepa, Oluwa Forest Reserve, in Odigbo Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State.

ACC AJ Onoja, Mining Marshal Commander, who led the raid, issued a stern warning to those still involved in illegal mining activities in the area.

Mining Marshals raid illegal mining site in Ondo State

arlier, the Men of the NSCDC had raided an illegal gold mining site, and destroyed a large wooden boat used for siphoning crude oil in two separate operations aimed at curbing economic sabotage in the country, Channels TV report said.

The first operation took place in the Ogunlepa, Oluwa Forest Reserve, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, where Mining Marshals had apprehended four individuals engaged in unlawful gold mining.

Report indicated the suspects, caught red-handed in the Government Reserved Area (GRA), confessed to not having the necessary licences or authorisation to conduct their operations.

After their arrest, the Mining Marshals charged the suspects to the Federal High Court in Abuja, FCT, where they now face serious legal repercussions, in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act.

ACC AJ Onoja, who led the raid, urged the any illegal miners to regularise their operations in accordance with the NNMA, stressing that the Federal Government鈥檚 resolve to enforce the law is unwavering.

He also stated: 鈥淭he big stick will be wielded without hesitation against anyone who flouts the law鈥�, emphasising the government鈥檚 commitment to preserving Nigeria鈥檚 mineral resources for legitimate and lawful use.

In a related development, the NSCDC Commandant-General鈥檚 Special Intelligence Squad (CG SIS), in a separate operation, uncovered and destroyed a large hidden wooden boat used by vandals to transport stolen crude oil at the Owaza waterfront in Rivers State, South-South Nigeria.

It was learnt the boat, capable of carrying over 200,000 liters of siphoned crude oil, was a critical asset for criminal networks involved in the illicit trade of the country鈥檚 oil resources.

It is also noted that the destruction of the boat is a significant blow to oil thieves, who had long exploited Nigeria鈥檚 rich crude reserves, costing the country billions of Naira in revenue.

The CG SIS鈥檚 swift action reflects the government鈥檚 heightened vigilance and its ongoing efforts at protecting the Nigeria鈥檚 critical infrastructure and natural resources from illegal exploitation, report stated.

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